Allegro Performing Arts Academy in Kent, Washington, is owned by Tonya MW Goodwillie and is their Artistic Director. She is also the co-director of Allegro Precision Dancing Company. According to their Mission Statement, Allegro Performing Arts Academy exists for the sole purpose of providing a positive caring atmosphere for learning and growing in the performing arts. Allegro promises to strive to give the best possible education to every student that walks through their doors. They are committed to creating a well-rounded performer as well as enforcing proper etiquette, responsibility skills, respect and commitment. Allegro dancers are given the tools to not only be great dancers but also great people with phenomenal work ethic! They are proud of all of their Allegro students and all of their successes!
According to Tonya, it is a place for anyone, of any age, and at any level to come and train in the performing arts! They really have something for everyone whether they want to be a recreational dancer or train to be a professional dancer. It is a family atmosphere that is welcoming to everyone and supportive of everyone’s own journey through dance.
In her opinion, Allegro Performing Arts is separated from other dance studios by their versatility. This is very important to them, especially in regards to preparing dancers for the professional world. Their team trains in hip hop, jazz, tap, lyrical/contemporary and ballet each week and they also bring in other genres to help them with being even more well rounded such as ballroom, modern, etc.
Tonya believes there is no way to choose just one “proudest moment.” Some of her best moments are watching her students have “Aha” moments when something clicks and they get excited about it. She also loves the connection with alumni and having them tell her how much they miss the studio and how much they appreciated what they had at Allegro.
In Tonya’s opinion, the biggest mistake she sees dancers make is being more worried 
about tricks and insane flexibility than having a good foundation and knowing their basics.
Personally, Tonya’s goal is to stay organized and continue working on small projects around the studio. They moved to a new location almost 2 years ago and, consequently, there are still a lot of those small projects that need to be done. In regards to the studio, they want to continue growing their youth and beginning program. For the team, her goals are to continue to guide each dancer and to help them understand that their own pathway is specific to them and to allow each dancer to grow at their own rate.
Tonya started teaching when she was just16 and at 19 she was offered an amazing opportunity to open a studio with the help of a close friend/client and the support of many families which she had been teaching since the age of 16. It was the kind of thing that you just do not turn down so she just went with it. So, she opened Allegro in February of 1996. Classes from February through August, 1996, consisted of just one studio room with 75 students and Tonya as the only instructor. September of 1996 brought new teachers, such as Karla Koon, the Stretch and Strength Dept. Chair, and a second dance room! Through the years the studio grew in leaps and bounds. A third studio room was added a few years later as well as the addition of their fabulous instructors. According to Tonya, it is a long process to find great instructors that share a similar vision. Allegro is very thankful to have such dedicated instructors!
Eventually, Tonya began going back to school to finish her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance degree at Cornish College of the Arts and graduated in May of 2007. After being in their small 4,000 square foot home for 11 years, Allegro then moved into a new larger (10,000 square feet) location in July of 2007 and then to an even larger space (12000+ square feet) in 2013 in a building in downtown Kent with great exposure and their own parking lot!! They were able to design from scratch and create the perfect new space for Allegro’s forever home!!!! Six large dance studios with viewing windows and raised dance floors, two student lounges, locker rooms for girls and boys, a vending machine, merchandise wall, intercom system, video feed from each dance room to a flat screen in the lobby… and more!!!
Allegro has more than one dance company. Allegro Precision Dance Company is the elite of Allegro students that commit extra time to training, performing and competing. Allegro Precision is c0-directed by Tonya Goodwillie and Tiffany Miles-Brooks. The dancers in this Company are of all ages and levels and they are very proud of their hard work and success throughout the year. The other Company is P.U.R.E. Hip-Hop. P.U.R.E stands for Purely, Unique, Raw, and Energy! P.U.R.E.’s Co-Directors are Tiffany Miles-Brooks and Sara Palmer. They also compete and perform throughout the year. There are a few different age levels and abilities entitled Cuteness, Expression, Impact, Vibe, Pure Boyz, ad Pure Girlz, Chaos and Adrenaline.
Tonya wants everyone to know that the instructors try really hard to break stereotypes like: “Big studios do not always provide the best training and that their teachers are not always able to connect with students individually.” ‘That they are just a competition studio.” “Really talented dancers are not friendly or supportive to other people.” ‘That you have to only train in ONE style to be great at it.” All of these stereotypes are untrue at Allegro. Allegro is a semi-large studio (600 students) with amazing training, teachers that care and that get to know their students. They offer so much for all of their dancers – not just the competition team. Allegro’s dancers are talented AND humble. Their students train at a variety of styles and are great at all of them!
If you would like more information about Allegro Performing Arts Academy, visit their website at www.allegrodance.com, call them at 253-813-9630 or email them at allegroprecision@hotmail.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and Tumblr, view them on YouTube, and “Pin” them on Pinterest, and connect with them on Instagram.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Tonya MW Goodwillie of Allegro Performing Arts Academy.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
My daughter has danced at Allegro since April 2011. Upon entering the Allegro building, you immediately see and feel something exceptional. The vision statement is prominently displayed on the wall, and detail about classes and activities are posted in an organized fashion. Instruction is delivered with intentionality and respect. Each class has a syllabus with clearly defined expectations!
My daughter has been fortunate to be on The Allegro Precision Dance Company for four years. I know the directors and teachers have her best interest in mind with the decisions they make. They are her support, encouragers, and mentors. I am so grateful for that!
If you have a child interested in dance, I highly recommend Allegro Performing Arts Academy! Tonya Goodwillie is a phenomenal director!